A Storehouse with Modern Finishes
The Hattori Family Residence Storehouse (服部家住宅土蔵) is a storehouse for household goods of about 1936 in Kosugi-cho, Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on March 29, 2019 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a 2-storey plastered storehouse with a tiled roof and a building area of 39 square metres, with a covered passage; registration number 24-265.
A Storehouse Linked to the House
The Hattori Family Residence Storehouse stands in the north-west corner of the plot and held the family's household goods; a covered passage links it to the main house (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It is a 2-storey plastered storehouse under a gabled tile roof. A lean-to on the west end of the south side serves as the entrance porch, and there is a doorway fitted for a safe.
The sources disagree on its size: the Agency gives a building area of 39 square metres, while Mie Prefecture's summary of the registration gives 50 square metres. Published material does not explain what each figure includes.
Why It Was Registered
The Agency registered it for its contribution to the historic landscape. Its description points to a building that follows the traditional storehouse form while bringing in modern techniques where they count: mortar walls finished by washing out and by brushing, and a roof frame of trusses with diagonal corner braces. Yokkaichi City also notes modern elements in the mortar finish and the construction.
What to Look For
Compare the wall finishes (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Washing out removes the surface of the mortar to expose the gravel in it, while brushing leaves fine parallel lines; both give a very different face from the white lime plaster of an older storehouse.
From a distance its gabled shape reads as a traditional storehouse. The modern work lies in the texture of the walls and in the hidden roof frame.
Visiting
The Hattori Family Residence Storehouse stands in the north-west corner of the plot, west of the front gate. It is part of a private home and the interior is not open to the public. One of the photographs Yokkaichi City released at registration shows the gate and storehouse from the north; please view them only from the road.
Q&A
- When was the Hattori Family Residence Storehouse built?
- In about 1936 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What was the Hattori Family Residence Storehouse used for?
- It stored household goods, and is linked to the main house by a covered passage (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What is modern about the Hattori Family Residence Storehouse?
- Its mortar walls are finished by washing out and brushing, and the roof frame uses trusses with diagonal corner braces (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Can I visit the Hattori Family Residence Storehouse?
- It is part of a private home and the interior is not open to the public.
- When was the Hattori Family Residence Storehouse registered?
- On March 29, 2019 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Hattori Family Residence Storehouse (服部家住宅土蔵) |
|---|---|
| Location | 604 and other lots, Kosugi-cho, Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2019/03/29 (Heisei 31) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | 2-storey plastered storehouse, tiled roof, 39 m², with covered passage |
| Owner | Private owner |
| Public Access | Not open to the public (private residence) |
References
- Hattori Family Residence Storehouse (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00012749
- Hattori Family Residence Main House, Barn, Storehouse and Front Gate (Yokkaichi City, Japanese)
- https://www.city.yokkaichi.lg.jp/www/contents/1542592489487/index.html
- Summary of newly recommended registrations (Mie Prefecture, Japanese)
- https://www.pref.mie.lg.jp/common/content/000806950.pdf
Last verified: 2026.10.20
